Brigid Kosgei/ HANDOUTFormer women's marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei hopes to lower her lifetime best over 42km when she returns to familiar territory for the Chicago Marathon on October 11.
Kosgei's personal best in the marathon stands at 2:14:04, a mark which stood as the women's world record since Chicago in 2019.
The 32-year-old heads to Chicago brimming with confidence after producing a commanding display at the AJ Bell Great North Run in Newcastle over the weekend, where she surged to victory in 1:06:15.
She outkicked compatriot Sheila Chepkirui, who clocked 1:08:19 for second, while Ethiopia's Melknat Wudu sealed the podium in 1:09:37. Kosgei said the Newcastle outing was primarily a speed-sharpening assignment ahead of her marathon assault in Chicago. "I came to sharpen up my speed as I prepare for my big race in Chicago," she said post-race.
She added that the half marathon also offered the perfect opportunity to assess her condition with less than a month to go before the major. "I wanted to test my body and gauge my form to see where I am."
Despite cruising to victory, the Kenyan distance ace believes there is still another gear to unlock before Chicago. "I feel like I need more speed. I need to run faster; that is what my body is telling me."
"Getting more mileage and speed will be crucial ahead of Chicago," she added.
Returning to the course where she etched her name into athletics history, Kosgei has her sights firmly set on rewriting her own personal best. "I am looking to do my best in Chicago and lower my personal best."
Kosgei travels to Chicago with an unbeaten record in 2026. She opened her campaign with victory at the Tokyo Marathon, clocking 2:14:29 to finish ahead of Ethiopia's Bertukan Welde (2:16:36) and Hawi Feysa (2:17:39).
Chicago has long been one of her happiest hunting grounds. Before her record-shattering triumph in 2019, she captured the 2018 title in 2:18:35, after announcing her arrival with a runner-up finish on debut in 2017 in 2:20:22.
Beyond Chicago, Kosgei has assembled an outstanding collection of Abbott World Marathon Majors crowns, including victories in Tokyo (2022 in 2:16:02 and 2026), London (2019 in 2:18:20 and 2020 in 2:18:58. She won Shanghai 2025 in 2:16:36 and Abu Dhabi 2023 in 2:19:15.
